FIA reveal findings into 67g Romain Grosjean fireball crash

FIA - Romain Grosjean

FIA reveal findings into 67g Grosjean fireball crash

A number of measures are to be implemented

Ian Parkes

Friday 5 March 2021 19:29 Updated: 19:35

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With regard to the medical and rescue element of the incident, which were key to ensuring Grosjean sustained primarily only burns to the backs of his hands, the report notes that "the FIA Medical Car arrived within 11 seconds of the incident, a time achieved partly due to the fact a ‘short cut’ was taken to avoid turn 1, demonstrating both local circuit knowledge and pre-planning.

"The arrival of the Medical Car carrying the FIA F1 Medical Rescue Coordinator Dr Ian Roberts, FIA F1 Medical Car Driver Alan van der Merwe and a local doctor, provided immediate assistance with each performing a pre-determined role.

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"Ian Roberts went immediately to the scene of the incident and instructed a marshal to operate the dry powder extinguisher around the cockpit where he identified Romain Grosjean as trying to make his egress.

"Alan Van der Merwe retrieved a fire extinguisher from the rear of the FIA Medical Car whilst the local doctor prepared the trauma bag."

All this allowed Grosjean to escape the scene of the crash after 27 seconds.

Grosjean's incident is one of 19 significant accidents that took place in 2020 into which the FIA Safety Department conducted an investigation, which has resulted in the governing body to now undertake work in the following areas:

With regard to the car, these include: regulation of survival cell front geometry, plus additional load tests in that area; review of existing regulations regarding rearview mirrors; review of steering column mounting requirements; review of regulation and homologation requirements for headrest assembly; analysis of Power Unit mounting and mount failure modes; ongoing research project: Wheel Restraint Cables (tethers); design review of safety fuel bladder installations in all FIA single-seater categories; recommendations for safety fuel bladder installation best practice; update of the FIA Standard for safety fuel bladders; review of regulations for design of safety fuel bladder connections and inspection hatches; fuel homologation to include compatibility of bladder material and specific fuel.

With regard to driver safety equipment: there will be an investigation into improvements to the gloves’ Heat Transfer Index (HTI); ongoing research project: Visor opening/locking mechanisms; project scope extended to include requirements to ensure that visor opening systems are operational after being exposed to fire; ongoing research project: Extinguisher system for open cockpit cars; project scope extended to include investigation of improved activation mechanisms.

With regard to circuits, there will be a review of existing circuit barrier opening installations. FIA president Jean Todt said: “Important learnings have been drawn from these investigations that will drive our continuous mission to improve safety in Formula 1 and global motor sport.

"The enduring commitment of the FIA, particularly the Safety Department, on reducing risks associated with motor sport enabled Romain Grosjean to maintain consciousness and survive an accident of this magnitude. Safety is and will remain FIA’s top priority.” FIA safety director Adam Baker added: “Incidents involving fire of this scale are thankfully rare, so it is very important to learn what we can, including the interaction with the high voltage system.

"The efforts of those involved were heroic and have quite rightly been the subject of much praise. Following the approval of our findings by the World Motor Sport Council, we will integrate the actions into the ongoing work.”